Growing Trident Maples in NSW australia

[byrnesk01]

Hey,
I am new to the whole bonsai experience,i recently purchased a pre- bonsai Trident Maple (acer beurgerianum) from a bonsai store,currently in NSW we are having extreme heat waves this summer roughly 35C-40C and it seems that my trident maple is having a hard time( it is still in a pot as i was told not to repot/replant untill spring(not sure if correct),i currently water it thoroughly in the morning ( water untill it leaks out of the bottom of the pot) i also spray the leaves with water, i place it in the morning sun until about midday(Roughly 8am-12pm),then move it into the shade,what i have noticed is that leaves are beginning to wilt and some of the tips of the leaves look to be dead, this frightens me(it could also be water damage to the leaves from possibly spraying water too hard onto the leaves?).Any fellow bonsai enthusiasts who grow trident maples/maples in general who can offer advice? thanks a bunch in advance ,also anyone who lives in NSW and has tips for bonsai surviving summer would be much appreicated . I have uploaded some images of the trident maple and where it is placed below.

Thanks in advance,
Kris

[Rory]

First off, moving it into shade each day is not a good idea. Primarily, because if you forget one day or you are away blah blah, then the bonsai is undergoing extreme differences each day because of you moving it.
I would suggest either putting it into a spot for just over half day sun if you are worried about really hot days. In hot days you are going to have to water it often, depending on how wet the soil is. Generally, trident maples are quite hardy, and certainly of the hardy end of the maple varieties. Or alternatively, you can find a filtered spot for full day sun, say under the cool filtered area of a canopy of a tree is sometimes good.

If you see the leaves wilting, it generally means you haven't watered the roots well enough, so the root ball may be a bit pot bound, or you just aren't watering long enough each time. Basically, it is good protocol, to completely soak the soil totally, then water again when it becomes almost dry. After trial and error, you'll get the hang of it. Don't be too frustrated if you lose your first few. After all, even the experts lost a lot of bonsai in their early years.

[Scott Roxburgh]

Your Trident maple doesn't look in anyway stressed, but i agree that if you are concerned about it, put it in a part of your garden that only receives sun up to midday.

Continue to water it daily and learn how it reacts and grows. These are very forgiving trees, so don't stress too much.

[kcpoole]

I have mine in Full sun all day in Sydney and get watered once a day in the morning.
yep the leaves will get burnt, but usually only with the hot winds thru later summer.
Currently they have no problems and yesterday and looks like today again being in the high 30s they will be fine

Ken

[Ray M]

Hi Kris,
Before making any comments I would like to ask one question. Are you fertilizing the tree with anything?

Regards Ray

[byrnesk01]

Hey,
thanks for the all the information so far everyone,um i have only had the bonsai for 2 days and still havent replanted it, i am still deciding whether to plant it in the ground or keep it in a pot,um for fertelizer since i havent repotted i havent put any new soil yet,should i repot the bonsai just to be safe?

[Ray M]

for fertelizer since i havent repotted i havent put any new soil yet,should i repot the bonsai just to be safe?

The tree is not very big and the pot size looks quite good. I suspect it will be fine till next year. If you want to check the roots to see if it is root bound, you can try the following:
Put the tree in a bucket of water for half an hour.
Lift the tree out of the water and let the water drain off fairly well.
Hold the tree by the trunk and tap down on the top edge of the pot. The tree should come out of the pot.
Inspect the roots.
If your are at all concerned about root binding, put it into a larger pot with more soil around it.

I think the tree would benefit from being fertilized. Get yourself some Seamungus and sprinkle around the tree. Do this after you have either put the tree back in it's pot or a bigger pot.

Regards Ray

[byrnesk01]

Hey,
thanks for the information Ray,quick question if it is indeed root bound what should i do?
thanks,
kris

[kcpoole]

If rootbound, just tease out the outside roots and then overpot in a larger pot with fresh soil till next winter. do not disturb them too much

Ken

[Ray M]

Hey,
thanks for the information Ray,quick question if it is indeed root bound what should i do?
thanks,
kris

Hi Kris,
Ken's advise is right on. Just do as he has suggested.

Regards Ray

[byrnesk01]

Hey,
Ok thanks for all the help everyone,much appreciated
thanks,
Kris

[Bonsaifan]

Hi Kris,

I also tend to bury my pots about 5cm into the ground, this helps when you forget to water as the roots will be fed by mother nature.

bonsaifan